Cancer and Pregnancy Awareness Week 2023 banner - it could be cancer. Obstacles to a cancer diagnosis in an around pregnancy and how to overcome them, and, real life stories to remind us that cancer can come at the most unexpected time

A black woman in a blue dress lays on the grass. Her pregnant belly is round and her hands lay on it. She smiles at the camera. The text reads 'it could be cancer'

For our 10th ANNUAL Awareness Week we are looking at common obstacles to a cancer diagnosis in and around pregnancy and how to overcome them.

"I still find it hard to fathom that the body, in the same space of time that it created and grew a new life, was also developing something that can kill too."

~ Magia, Mummy's Star Mum, 2021

Monday | Obstacle 1 | Too Young?

Too young to have cancer?
Knowing the average age for a particular cancer type could inadvertently create personal or systemic biases which may lead to red-flag symptoms being overlooked due to a patient's age.
This can be particularly tricky when paired with symptoms that can be masked by a pregnant or post-natal body.

Knowing the average age for a particular cancer type could inadvertently create personal or systemic biases which may lead to red-flag symptoms being overlooked due to a patient's age. This can be particularly tricky when paired with symptoms that can be masked by a pregnant or post-natal body. Mummy's Star has supported more Young Mums (under 35) in the last 2.5 years than any other age bracket.

Cancer in pregnancy is never average and you can never be too young for a cancer diagnosis!

Tuesday | Obstacle 2 | Symptom Masking

Cancer or pregnancy?
Many cancer symptoms can be mistaken for common pregnancy or post-natal related changes to the body.
Exhaustion, changes to skin, pain, unexpected weight gain/loss, constipation, headaches, confusion, lumps, bloating, spotting or bleeding.

Many cancer symptoms can be mistaken for common pregnancy or post-natal changes to the body.
This can lead to less thorough exploration, or a lack of appropriate referrals, if the symptoms are not treated as they would be in a patient who was not pregnant or in the post-natal period.

See the symptom. Detect and explore potential cancer symptoms early and thoroughly by treating the patient as you would if they were not pregnant or post-natal.

Wednesday | Obstacle 3 | Multiple Presentations

Too many visits?
Multiple presentations to diufferent healthcare professionals, without answers and a clear next step can drain a patient's confidence and may discourage them from speaking up, even if their symptoms persist.

Making multiple presentations to different healthcare professionals, without receiving answers or a clear next step, can drain a patient's confidence and may discourage them from speaking up if their symptoms persist.

There are tools to help reduce the length and complexity of a patient's journey to cancer diagnosis, including the Non Specific Symptoms Pathway; part of the NHS's Faster Diagnostic Framework.

Empower patients & professionals to stay confident and in communication while on the journey to diagnosis.

Thursday | Obstacle 4 | Who Takes The Lead

Who takes the lead?
A patient can end up speaking to lots of different healthcare professionals unless someone takes the lead to investigate their symptoms.
It can be difficult to know whether primary or maternity care should be taking the lead in the investigation.

A patient can end up speaking to lots of different healthcare professionals unless someone takes the lead to investigate and follow through the exploration of their symptoms. It can also be difficult to know whether primary or maternity care should be taking the lead in their investigation, when a patient is pregnant or post-natal.

Take the lead and be the champion your patient needs to reach a cancer diagnosis.

Friday | Overcoming Obstacles

Overcome the obstacles.
THINK: It could be cancer. see the symptoms not the pregnancy.
REFER: guide your patient through further investigation.
ESCALATE: be the champion your patient needs to get answers.
EDUCATE: The more you know, the more you can help.

Our top tips to OVERCOME obstacles to a cancer diagnosis in or around pregnancy:

THINK: It could be cancer. See the symptom not the pregnancy.

REFER: Guide your patient through further investigations.

ESCALATE: Be the champion your patient needs to get answers.

EDUCATE: Learn more and tell others. The more you know, the more you can help!

Mummy's Star is dedicated to educating healthcare professionals about cancer in and around pregnancy and supporting them to care for and treat patients, in this difficult situation, to the best of their ability.

Real Life Stories & Articles

SEE ME: Cancer & Pregnancy Awareness Week 2022

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